Thursday, July 12, 2018

Lakers Beat Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 82-69, in the second-round of the Summer League Playoffs at Thomas and Mack Center on Thursday.

The Lakers have been one of the most dominant teams in this Summer League and a wire-to-wire win here just adds to their impressive resume. Los Angeles was in control throughout the game, as they held a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half. The first and third quarters were key, with the Clippers being held to a combined 24 points on 10-of-34 shooting in those 20 minutes of action. The Lakers defense was a big part of that, as they held the Clippers to 35.8 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from three-point range and 65.4 percent from the free-throw line. Los Angeles finished 44.6 percent from the field, 31.2 percent from long range and 90.5 percent from the charity stripe.

The Clippers (2-3) had just two players score more than seven points, as Desi Rodriguez and Sindarius Thornwell led the team with 17 points apiece. Rodriguez added three rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting to his line while Thornwell collected an additional four rebounds, two assists and two blocks on 5-of-17 from the field. Reggie Upshaw finished with seven points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Lakers (4-0) were once again led by Josh Hart, as he collected 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Svi Mykhailiuk accrued 15 points, three rebounds and four assists on 5-of-7 shooting. Alex Caruso accumulated eight points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jeff Ayres played just 16 minutes but provided 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.

The Lakers will face the winner of the Detroit-Chicago matchup on Saturday in the quarter-finals.